Hall Lake & Hall Peak

Hall Peak (6,804 ft) is far from the highest peak in Montana’s Swan Mountain Range (that honor goes to the similarly-named Holland Peak). However, aside from 6-mile Peak, it’s one of the more popular summit hikes in the Swan Lake region due to its relatively easy access. The small lake it shadows in the west, Hall Lake, is an equally-popular picnic destination.

Hall Lake alone is a perfectly reasonable day hike, though adding in the Peak, once might consider base camping at the lake and splitting the adventure into two days. While just over 15 miles isn’t unachievable for a day hike by any means, the elevation gain is enough that it makes for a long day.

The hike to Hall Lake is 4.3 miles one-way, through mostly dense and lush undergrowth that will leave your feet soaking wet without gaiters. This area of the Swan Range gets a lot of moisture, and thus the waterways here are almost always high. One crossing on this trail is so tricky, in fact, that the Forest Service installed a permanent balance cable to assist in the crossing. Later on, you’ll cross a small waterfall that will also likely necessitate a bit of wading unless going late in the season. 

At 4.2 miles, you’ll come to a split in the trail. Go left another couple tenths of a mile to the lake, which has ample camping opportunities and a fully stocked range of trout.

To continue on to the peak, go right. Wind up the ridge, then snake to the backside to approach Hall Peak from the north. You’ll have to backtrack to the peak once you hit the ridge line 7.2 miles from the trailhead. Hook back to your right (heading northwest) and follow the ridge to Hall Peak at GPS coordinates 47.9685605, -113.7948183. If you feel comfortable on steeper, loose terrain, you can shortcut the summit by going down the east face and intersecting back with the trail right above Hall Lake. While not overly technical, don’t attempt this if you’re not comfortable on off-trail terrain.